Arbor Scientific Fan Cart on Vernier Dynamics Cart

Description

Arbor Scientific makes a $19 fan cart (P4-1986). Unfortunately it is not good for quantitative measurements because the wheels have relatively high friction and its hard to pick up motion with a motion sensor. Vernier makes a nice fan cart (we have one) for $94; kind of expensive for a class set. We have plenty of dynamics carts and tracks, so the task was to create a way to mount a cheap fan cart to an existing dynamics cart. With some modification to the Arbor Scientific fan cart, this was our solution.

Construction

The 3D printing is the easy part. Each end will take about 40 min to print at medium speed. Picture on the right is of the completed rework and installation on the Vernier cart.

Once you have your end brackets, you will notice the Arbor Scientific cart is too long to mount to the dynamics cart. Rework the fan cart per the instructions and pictures below. Take care not to damage any wires when drilling hole or cutting base. I had the luxury of using a drill press and a band saw.

Step 1: Remove wheels/axles and sail holder, then drill 1/4" hole as shown

Step 2: Relocate on off switch

Step 3: Using the holes as a guide cut base to length .

Step 4: Using standard Vernier hardware and brackets to mount to cart.

Physics Instructional Resource Association (PIRA) http://physicslearning2.colorado.edu/Pira